YERBA BUENA by Nina LaCour

YERBA BUENA is the first adult novel from Nina LaCour, the bestselling and Michael L. Printz Award-winning author of several critically acclaimed young adult novels. The story centers on two women, Sara Foster and Emilie Dubois, as they try to find themselves in the middle of Los Angeles. They meet, they part, they meet again, and learn who they are along the way.

Vogue called this book, “A lesbian love story for the ages.” But what we found most outstanding is the love that LaCour shows for her characters and their world. The reader sees as much care for the strange beauty of a banana slug or a beloved family recipe, as for Sara and Emilie making their way through the world. There are no real villains here, only humanity: mistakes, trauma, and missing the mark. Yet in the end, we are left with wonder: the yearnings, victories, and miracles of everyday life. 

YERBA BUENA manages to feel like a swift slow-burn, heartbreaking and heartfelt, grounded in empathy and love. As a brand new release, the world feels just a little bit better, now that it has this story.

-Recommended by Stephen and Tess